President’s Message

2005-2006
International President
Carolyn Rice

October 26, 2005

Dear Fellow Quotarians,

Since I last wrote to you, I've been privileged to witness Quota caring and sharing at its finest.

In September I traveled to North America to attend area meetings in Quota's Canada, Central, East, South, and West areas, and since that time I have traveled on 19 separate flights throughout the United States and Canada and have seen too many airports to name them all! With all of the meetings now over—and what a treat it has been to attend such highly successful events—I am preparing to head home to my family, who say they are awaiting my return with open arms!

In addition to my trips to area meetings, I was very moved by my journey to Gulfport, Mississippi, U.S.A., to view damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina and learn more about the relief efforts that your donations to the We Share Foundation's Hurricane Relief Fund are financing.

Words cannot adequately convey what I felt or saw during my time in Gulfport. My visit with the members of Quota's Mississippi Gulf Coast club, which is based in Gulfport, was truly an amazing experience to see firsthand. I was horrified by the devastation, but I felt privileged to witness the resilience of the people in the area as they have just gotten on with what has to be done to repair homes, businesses, and lives.

When I arrived in Gulfport, I was taken straight to the radio station for an interview; afterwards, I was driven around the devastated area, including the restricted area along the beach front. The sight was almost beyond my comprehension; where there were once multi-story buildings, now there is nothing. I saw miles and miles of this devastated landscape with an occasional miracle—a portion of a building that was still intact. Clothes and other debris were hanging in trees, bare of all foliage. The tears just rolled down my cheeks as I just could not imagine the sadness and despair of coming back to find everything gone. All the special things we all treasure, such as family photos, are all just gone.

That night I had dinner at the club president's home along with club members, and this was the first time they had met as a group. Those who chose to weather the storm shared stories of amazing acts of bravery.

And now, our QI of Gulf Coast members are doing what all Quotarians do when faced with a situation of need; they are rolling up their sleeves and getting on with the job of rebuilding and moving their lives forward. These members are to be admired for their courage and determination, as many of them have also lost everything themselves or at least have damage to their homes and property. Their spirit is truly amazing.

One member expressed her guilt because her home and property had been spared. Another told me how her husband usually took her out to dinner on their anniversary, but as most of the restaurants were along the waterfront were destroyed, the choice was now very limited. It brought home to me the fact that the lives of Gulfport residents will not be the same for a long time to come.

The following morning I visited a Boys and Girls Club building, which had been severely damaged during Hurricane Katrina. The building had been the site where Quotarians had entertained children prior to the storm with a "Socks and Pocket" workshop. District 21 Lieutenant Governor Vicki Miller, a member of the Gulf Coast club, had led the workshop, where each child was presented with a new pair of socks and a book to take home.

Our last stop was made at the DeLepee Deaf Center. Because it was one of the few buildings in the community that did not sustain damage, it had been turned into a relief center for distribution of supplies. So much of the center's food had been given to the general public, that their food pantry was completely depleted. Eight families with deaf members were displaced by Katrina, and suffered catastrophic losses. Of those eight, six lost their TTY machines. The funds the club received from the We Share Foundation Hurricane Relief Fund have purchased six new TTY machines, linens for the eight displaced families, and restocked the Deaf Center pantry with nonperishable foods, which will be distributed to the deaf clients and their families.

The Deaf Center executive director gave me a tour of the center and explained how the center supports deaf clients and their families. He praised Quota's Gulf Coast club for its continuing support, and in particular, for the donation to support those affected by Hurricane Katrina. He asked if I would convey his thanks to you, the members and leaders of Quota International for providing the opportunity and financial support for Quota's Gulf Coast club to assist them.

At the Quota office we continue to receive applications from clubs for funds to support Hurricane relief efforts, and donations have now exceeded the U.S.$32,000 mark. (To learn more about all hurricane relief efforts in District 21 and how you can donate, click here.)

Members helping people in need—that's what our organization is all about, and I am so proud to be your president at this critical time when members around the world have been called to action to help fellow members in their hour of need.

As we Reach Out Together, we can change the world and improve lives.

Yours in Quota,

Carolyn Rice

(click here for the previous President's Message)
(click here for the next President's Message)

Home / Join / Help / Marketplace / Contact Quota / Site Index